I got out of bed and ready myself and I saw Victoria putting her clothes on and I find her attractive in every way, all those things that Doc said to me last night is happening today, which is fast in my opinion but it doesn’t matter now but we have to be prepared for this journey, we got ready, I walked out outside with Victoria and I saw the three sitting on the table and around my surroundings people are very busy still fixing this place we waved at anybody who pass by and I brought the news to my friends, “Good Morning, I have something to tell you guys, which it’s an urgent matter and we have to get there quickly.” I said to the group.
I pulled out the map and the coordinates and the four leaned forward to see the map and Roxy pointed to the scratched one and Victoria pointed to this place and she nodded at her “What exactly are we looking at Blaze?” As I was about to say something I was interrupted by an unexpected visit again “Travel. That’s what you’re going to be doing, Cliff you will go with Blaze, he’ll tell you the details, Blaze.” I was caught off guard by his presence and he handed me the stage, it appeared to me.
“Thank you Doc, so yes Cliff we are going to travel to Ascaria it seems there is danger there as you can see that these are the remaining obelisk, and it’ll take days to travel there, once we take care of this one, that is near to us and we are going to be okay.” suddenly I just had a thought that I vaguely remembered that place. And I had a weird feeling about it?
Then I snapped back to reality I turned to Victoria placed her gaze on me with a little concern, then she rubbed my shoulder and letting me go, “And we are going today and I know that it’s fast, but I didn’t expect this to be so soon, and I’m going to need someone to guard this place while we are gone.” It appears that they are listening to me very well to my plan.
“I’m going to bring two with me, Cliff and Roxy, you guys come with me.” The two looked at each other and nodded at me and the two left and prepared their stuff and I faced Victoria and her look wasn’t pleased then she said “Can I talk to you for a minute Red.” We walked to a ruin where people won’t see us. Away from where they were sitting under the shade, she looked at me with her eyes widened. “Are you crazy, you’re going to get killed, this is unbelievable Red.” My idea made her frustrated and it irks her.
This is a bold decision that I’m making. It’s not selfish, but I have to experience this.
She exclaimed and rubbed her eyes, and I just looked at her with a concerned look. I put my hand on her shoulder, “Hey Victoria what’s bothering you? Tell me.” as I said that, she seemed relaxed now, and she glance back at me with a slight smile then “I don’t know Red, I’m just worried, like what happened to you yesterday with that river monster that almost killed you and you manage to kill it with your ability, and I thought I lost you and I almost cried and Cliff I really care about this group Red I hope you understand that I…”.
I hugged her Instead stopping her from continuing what she’ll say next “It’s okay Victoria I understand what you’re saying and besides, I noticed you almost teared up right on front me when I killed that monster and the both of you just laughed and that just sparks some joy inside me but I digress, I’ll be okay in this journey and hey next time you’ll come with me and fight more of those things and I noticed that people here seems to like you, and the little children as well, and don’t worry about me Victoria, I’ll be safe with Cliff and Roxy.” I rubbed her cheek and she put her hand on my hand.
We stared at each for a while. Her eyes sparked some slight hope. I couldn’t Imagine what I just did to her, it caught her by surprise when I announced that I picked Cliff and Roxy over her and was my decision right? And it felt like I hurt her, here with the plan that Phoenix gave me and I told her that we were going to fight together but I guess that was somewhat a lie to myself, damn I felt like shit leaving her here defending this place but I also just want her here, I hope I can make it up to her when we come back from Ascaria I might have an idea for what I can do. When the time is right.
I let go her but her expression changed from sad to calm, ever since she told me that they were looking after me, like guarding me, they seem to really care about me while I was being operated by Phoenix, and I looked like shit when that happened until he used his powers to make me better and I still don’t understand that why I’m I still feeling these things in me when I’m a machine, I guess I’ll have to ask doc when the time is right.
“Okay Red, you be careful alright.” She said while she is straightening herself and pulling her hair back and wiped her teary eyes I just find her so beautiful in this mad world, It’s the weirdest feeling I’ll ever get just looking at her, while I have feelings towards her, I straighten myself and I kind of chuckled at her “What’s funny Red?” she raised one eyebrow and she noticed I giggled, “Hmm nothing Victoria, I’m just fascinated by your beauty.” She blushed at me and giggled and hit me in the shoulder with a light slap and we both laughed and I looked at her necklace I gave her and she held it. “This is really beautiful Red, I’ll never take this off.”
Suddenly we were interrupted by Cliff “Oh hey sorry guys I didn’t mean to interrupt your privacy.” We both turned to him and stopped what we were doing, and we just laughed and Cliff was just standing there looking at us, “Well this is it, Victoria I’ll come back I promise.” she nodded and smiled and kissed me on the cheek and left us to talk about the serious matter “What’s the matter Cliff?” I asked then he said “Well we are ready to go Blaze, and Phoenix said that he’ll get us there to Ascaria.”
I checked myself if I’m missing anything and we started walking back and Doc Phoenix was there waiting for the both of us as we walked towards the group “Are you ready Blaze for this journey, just the three of you?” When he said that, I get A weird feeling about that name, like I remembered something but it's very vague, my memory then returned back to reality “Huh, Yeah I’m ready.” Phoenix nodded me straighten himself and smiled and disappeared right on front of us, and the two stood up and brought their gear with them, so do I, all five of us walked down the street and the people are working and doing their jobs, as we were walking I felt their glances looking at us, with concern and I can vaguely hear their voices saying “Are they leaving, are we going to abandoned us, who will look after this place, they are leaving us here.”
And we kept on walking towards the gate and we stopped at the front of the gate the guards questioned us and I didn’t like his tone when he asked us about not wanting to go outside and we have some duties to do here, who the fuck does he think he is does realized we saved this fucking town didn’t we, then Cliff talked to him. “Alright calm down, look we have some places to go, also we don’t like that tone of yours I find It insulting, you wouldn’t want something bad happening to you in front of your buddies right.” I noticed he cracked his knuckles and I saw their looks are priceless. They were very nervous, I guess they changed their mind, “Besides we are not going anywhere, only the three of us are going, and the two will guard this place.” Said Cliff.
I looked at Vicky and her expression was funny and I noticed Roxy bit her lip when she saw Cliff did that and Dave just rubbed his beard and he is trying to hold his laughter but he got through it, the guy who had a bad tone changed his mind this time “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to, I sincerely apologize.” said the man with the bad attitude, Cliff Nodded at him Cliff’s eyes terrified the man I can tell he sweated a little, then the gates opened seeing the outside world again a new adventure begins just the three of us I turn my back to see Victoria she ran towards me and hugged me tightly “Be careful Red.” I just looked at her and I said “Don’t worry about me Vicky, Cliff and Roxy are with me.” I wiped her tears and I waved at Dave and responded back with a wave as well.
The gates closed behinds us then Cliff spoke and said “Alright we have to be careful as usual and Phoenix said we have to meet him at an old harbor called Oysters Kings harbor, and from there we’ll be in Ascaria.” Cliff and Roxy looked at me and I walked forward and he handed me the directions to the old harbor. I read it carefully and I led the way. We walked on our journey for hours. The sun is settling down.
We are away from home and I’m just traveling with my friends, and I’m surprised that they are my new friends. They may be odd but their personalities are different and I’m starting to grow fond of them.
And something I’ve noticed how those people looked at them they seem to understand Victoria and Dave, I guess Victoria learned something from her, she said she is was like a mother figure to her, I find it heartwarming when she mentioned that to me when she told me who she was before, I was disgusted by the thought of what happened to her I don’t really know her but the way she told me was very something, I can’t stop thinking about it even though we are on an unexpected quest, an urgent one that I was caught by surprise.
We were walking for hours and hours until we noticed it got dark the whole area was completely just a mess, structures are destroyed and abandoned houses and not a single life is represented here or maybe they are hiding somewhere on the area, but I don’t want to find out and we are on a tight schedule here we just journeyed on until we stopped at a forest and set up camp but before we do, Cliff talked to Roxy “Roxy I need you to cast a protection spell around this area so they can’t see us.”
She responded to his request and started working on it, she pulled out her wand and cast a spell, speaking in a ancient language, the area around us was shielded by her, a spell I was astounded by what she did, and I just watched in amazement it spreads like stars around us with colour blue and purple, and Cliff just watched her do it and I turn my gaze back at my gear and just prepared my sleeping mat and sat down then I placed gaze back at Cliff and Roxy they sat down together and she created a fire, with magic of course, she is very helpful in this journey after all, suddenly my thoughts were cut off “Hey Blaze I’m curious what were you like before, when you become…” she scanned me with her eyes. “I hope you don’t mind me asking you.” Said Roxy, while describing me, and Cliff looked at her and back to me and turned his head down and looked at his sword, the sword that Doc told me about.
“Well that was a long time ago, I was a normal guy, that I joined the army, and that was long ago but I was kicked out of the corp because of my health.”
And Cliff stopped cleaning his sword halfway and looked at me. “Really? What happened to you?” I set my eyes on him then I said “I… I have no idea what it was, I started coughing and coughing blood, and my family was there but they did their best on caring for me when I got sick. I went to the doctor but they didn’t do anything. I got ill at the end of the year and one of the troops noticed me and reported that I was not well, then they had no choice but to make the hardest decision to let me go for good times back then was different in the army.
However after that there was this girl I can’t really remember her name but She was there for me, I…” I stopped and I almost felt sad and I still remember her face but that was before and I tried to continue but I don’t want to.
The two right in front me just kept quiet. “I’m sorry to hear that Blaze, but that friend of yours sounds very lovely, at least she cares about you.” She put her hand on my shoulder and smiled at me.
And Cliff joined in “She’s right, and hey man I’m sorry for that I mean it but you are part of us now you have new friends and we got each other’s back.” he continued cleaning his sword.
I faced down looking at the ground covered with dead leaves around us then we heard, an approaching footsteps a heavy one the ground thuds, it looks like seven feet tall walking on four legs screeching and it’s horrible mouth filled with teeth and it opens its jaw has more teeth and gasped with a slight hiss it seems like it’s calling? To others I hope it doesn’t see us. We just stood still and didn’t make a single move and watched them leave further away like five kilometers away from us.
And I heard Roxy scoff at those things that just walked past us. “They can’t see and hear us, nothing to worry about.” She smiled at us, how clever she is, but I had no choice but to leave Victoria back home, but we have a long journey ahead of us.
I watched the flames go up, I like how dark it can be and just us here while the only light source is the fire right in front of us, and the beauty of the skies I can’t stop looking at.
“We are halfway there, to our destination.” said Cliff and Roxy cut in.
“Yeah and we have to be careful of those things.” I looked at the directions that those things passed by then I asked “What are those things?” I asked.
“Dead Guardians, Those things are the pets of “Ša‘lech the destroyer.”
She Continued “I only read its description in one of the books long ago. We encountered one of those things, one was chewing on a pile of dead bodies, it was something unexpected… I got attacked by one of those things, only one and Cliff here he saved my life from it, it scared the shit out of me when those things attacked me almost ripping me apart like paper, but I’ll never forget Cliff saving my life.” She was relieved by his actions when she told me that he saved her, then she focused back on the map and I listened to his explanation about where to go, then she slipped an important detail “They might be roaming around these parts, so we have to be careful if we encounter any of them”.
I looked around just to be sure then she completed her sentence.. “Kill them.” I looked at her and nodded to her advice, then we stopped looking at the map and packed it up.
In the morning I saw the two still sleeping and I stood up I prepared myself got my sword, and Shoulder bag and I looked inside to see I have those dosage that Doc gave me for my powers, maybe this will come in handy and I noticed that device that the kid gave me a Hendrix, I don’t plan to open it but I just looked at it and put it back on my bag, and it follows up with the two waking up and Roxy quickly uncast the barrier, we quickly packed up our gear and we started to proceed to Oysters King harbor, we are on the road there are more places that are still intact but mainly deserted, all those places are covered in green and nature overtook it, well… Some parts and no one would live in those places, I just have a feeling that there is something watching us but they don’t suspect it, only me as I turned around to check our surroundings but it’s just the road, a deserted road and nature on both sides.
As we Reached to our destination the place still on hold but mainly abandoned the boats are still floating but damaged covered, moss, rust, and cobwebs and skeletons and the harbor is just a complete mess, as I turn my gaze to the ocean I was shocked and amazed by the ocean, it’s dark seeing it up close.
The ocean was disturbing enough for me and Roxy and Cliff, seeing an empty void and there are structures on the ocean, but I don’t want to go that far into the ocean, and I don’t want to know what lurks in the ocean but I don’t want to alert anything here.
“You made it, glad to see you”. As I snap out of my thoughts and return to reality, I turned to see it was Phoenix and the two as well saw him standing in his suit still clean, then he started talking to us “So here’s the plan guys from here we’ll travel to Ascaria from here to another country, as you can see the ocean is not safe to travel because there are things, lurking in the dark ocean but I have a solution for that” as he was explaining, he started to do something right on front of us, speaking in an ancient language and his eyes lit up, In a way it was so bright they closed their eyes and I covered mine then it calmed down, “It’s done.” It’s back to normal and he is still sharp as ever and the rift is open but before he walks in, he stopped us.
He tapped his own shoulder and it seems like he’s treating us like children but I just went along, and hold him tight and we walked in not letting go, as we were inside I looked around there are infinitely rifts leading to different places, it’s like space in here I was amazed and then suddenly we dropped down hard, and I got up and looked around.
Seeing more trees and the atmosphere feels different here then I looked down helping Roxy and Cliff, then I saw Phoenix being calm as hell, how he does it, it’ll always be a mystery to me.
But I seem to like his style, but I digress, I asked “Doc, where are we?” I asked then he answered “Actually you’ve just arrived at Acscaria.” We looked around again I stepped in, to his answer “I see, But I thought it’ll be days to arrive to Ascaria?” Then he let out a little laugh in a way he found amusing but he was being careful not to be loud, then he said “Well… I did say that, but I meant traveling to the target.” when he told us the plan, and right now I just think he is having way too much fun on this and being a little sarcastic on this but it doesn’t matter, then we walked out the forest that we were just in, as we were out we stood on an open field just seeing a beautiful landscape, lots of mountains and nature all around us, to our amazement this place doesn’t look terrible as back home.
We walked and this country is a little cold which I don’t feel the cold, it’s windy but I noticed the skies are still pretty much the same as back home but no sign of trouble on these parts, which is a good thing we get to think about what’s our plan and turn my back and saw that Cliff and Roxy are enjoying each talking a lot, and Doc is on my right side but the two art further behind us like a couple feet away from us, I asked Doc “Hey Doc I have a question, I know you told me about knowing the truth, and maybe another day and I know it’s not the right time to ask?” I stopped there then he gave a slight smirk and he nodded his head with a little disbelief, then he answered my question “Alright what do you want to know?” While walking, I was thinking of what to say, but I was caught in a dead end of what to say or ask, then he gave a wide look at me, waiting for my response then I said, “Um… Well.” I looked back at the two, “How did they meet?” I pointed at the two slightly without seeing my finger, “Oh well, I told you about Cliff right, but for Roxy she was interesting at first, she was the last one like I said. I trained her to use Magic and she had a lot of responsibility on her hands before, and Cliff on the other hand has this look in his eyes he likes Roxy.”
Interesting about Roxy and Cliff but I knew that from the Room where we first met, their chemistry together caught my eye, and another Idea came to mind “And Does she know what he looks like under that mask?” I vaguely saw his face under the mask only his eye and half of his cheek when he was injured, that was it and I bet she saw It, as well but I think at that the time I don’t think she cares about it like her mind was on other place, I can still remember her look under that face paint of hers, like blood on her face is gone and all she can think of was Cliff right there.
“Hmm I know how he looks like, because I’m the one who made that for him, but for her I’m not sure she didn’t brought it up or anything like that and the last time she saw his face was, I was healing him and repair that broken piece on his mask like hot glue, while the mask was still on his face but I can tell she wasn’t herself that day and I just did my job and Everything was back to normal”.
The end result of that was fascinating to me she doesn’t know? That's very odd, including me as well and she really cares about Cliff. I can tell she has this look in her eyes, something that reminds her of something, when she took a break from her warm up.
“Look Blaze, I know you want to know more, but like I said there is a right time to know all of this when this is over.”
I nodded to his opinion but I didn’t protest on his words, “Hell, You can ask me a million questions if you like and I don’t mind and I almost forgot her past was complicated, we’ll leave it at that” he smiled and laugh and put his hand on my shoulder, then we stopped at the end of the field, and he said “Well this is it, my children your new adventure awaits you down this path feel free to explore get to know this country.”
We hugged him and he gave another piece of advice about being safe and all that, and the coordinates to the obelisk will take a while to get there but we’ll see what awaits us down the road. All of a sudden Phoenix is gone in thin air.
But this place is new to us and it doesn’t seem bad or worst like I said Nature took over and covered everything, but there are visible landmarks up ahead, buildings that are destroyed, we walked past them but I have to admire the sight, how deserted it looks there was no bodies on the road and only rubles and animals roaming around minding their own business same as us, it seem there was no danger around here which is good from the open field back from where we started, from where we were are now an abandoned city.
After leaving the city with destroyed landmarks and everything seems dried up, afterwards, it was nature and now it looks like a sandstorm up ahead, the hell is going on around Ascaria? The climate is starting to feel strange. We had to stop first and avoid this weather that is up Ahead, and it seems this will last long I would guess and I hate sandstorms. They are the worst, well when I was human, I felt the annoyance from those little particles of dirt hitting the skin.
But now I don’t feel it, I'm a machine and I go through it, but I don’t want to risk it with my friends, who knows what is in that storm.
Creatures, maybe?
Or more creatures?
The fact is I don’t want to risk it.
So we seeked shelter, and Cliff pointed out a building, we were standing at a small town, it was really close to the border of a sandstorm and we went inside an old small story building windows barred up and the door, Cliff kicked it in and shut door and Roxy cast a small spell on the door, and the sandstorm passed us we can feel the rumbling from the storm.
We put down our gear but we prepared our weapons first to check this place out, this place is still in good shape, just covered in dust and cobwebs, and I have this weird feeling, so we scanned each rooms but the place seems fine, what on earth is going on here, everything around this place seems to be abandoned, and now this one particular building is still in good shape the interior I mean the outside is pretty messed up, then suddenly I felt I gun pointed on my head and a man’s voice said to me “What the fuck are you doing in my property tin head?” Tin head! The hell does he think he is, his voice is rough then he gave instructions to what to do, so I followed them and I turned around to see who is and this is my first time someone has pointed a gun at my face, and he was really quiet on sneaking up behind me, and Roxy and Cliff are further down the halls just checking the other rooms while I’m in here with this man with sunglasses and beard rough looking character he is.
While the gun is pointed on my face he turned to hear the voices of my friends and I lowered my hands, and he doesn’t seem scared about my appearance and I would guess he has seen a lot I these parts, then her turned back to see my hands are down, and I grabbed the gun from his hand, fast without pulling the trigger, before he could blow my face off to his surprise he looked scared now from what I just did, his look was surprised and in disbelief, under those sunglasses of his and he put his hands up.
I just shook my head and told him “Put your hands down, I’m not going to hurt you sir” he slowly put his hands down and then he smiled at me and then he stepped back further and I threw the gun on the other side of the room and I removed the magazine from the gun.
Then I walked towards him “Look I’m not going to do anything to harm you sir, we just need to rest up and look for a place for the night because of that sandstorm that’s coming this direction” while standing there across from me he was quiet and I heard footsteps coming. Roxy and Cliff saw me talking to the man, I told them “Calm down guys, no need to be hostile here, we are all friends here.” Then the man seems to calm down, and I picked up the gun and magazine and keep It in my bag for now “I’m keeping this for now sir.” I said to the man, then he suddenly spoke to me “I’m going to need that tin head, and you don’t have any idea what you’re doing here in Ascaria? This is a place for the dark and not for us anymore” the two left already went back downstairs, I just walked out the room and ignored him, then I said to him “Yeah, sure sir we know what we are doing, be careful sir before you break your legs.”
Then I heard him scoff and laughed a little “Is that supposed to be a threat?” While walking down the stairs, I just shrugged at him from where I could see him.
Then I talked to the two, then she pointed up the stairs “What was that?” said Roxy, “Let’s say I handled it quickly” then Cliff joined in “Seriously, Blaze what happened?” I sigh and just tell them “I was held hostage for a second and he got distracted by your voices and took his gun fast and now it’s in my bag.”
Then I heard wood creaking on the stairs, we looked up at him he walked down not saying a word to us and he doesn’t seem to be bothered, then Roxy walked to him, I just stood there with Cliff and looked at the man, his expression was still pissed off but he seems alright, but I don’t want to get comfortable here, because we have a job to do, A job more like a hunt, I started walking around this place that man kept this place alive for a while which I’m Impressed how long he held up here and while the world has gone to shit, but he’s pretty secure her all alone, and to be honest I felt bad doing that to him, like that, took his gun but it’s also been a while that someone aimed a gun at my head that was long time ago, and that fucking pissed me off, but I still remembered a similar thing like that but it doesn’t matter.
“You take all my supplies you fucking savages!” The man with the sunglasses said to us, “You damn scumbags!” The three of us looked at each other from across the room, we were confused by tha and annoyed, then Roxy told the man to calm down “Hey sir, we are not the bad guys here.”
The two of us looked at him and at Roxy she is doing pretty well and this is my adventure with these two and I’m starting to get used to this.
“And she is right sir we are not.” said Cliff, his look changed quickly from annoyed, anger, to a clam look I looked at Roxy smiling at him a genuine one, and Cliff folded his arms and I stood there watching the whole thing, I walked towards him and pull out the gun from my shoulder bag, and handed him, his gun back to him I can tell from his look, he looks confused and calm then he asked this time “Who… are you guys?” we looked at each other trying to answer questions then I spoke up “Well… Sir we are here to stop something bad, that’s happening here in Ascaria.” then Cliff said “We are here to save this world and restore and stop the dark,” then Roxy joined in “We are here to do a job.” Then I introduce myself. “My name is Atomic Blaze and this lovely lady, her name is Roxy and that’s Cliff.”
When we gave our answers to him, his expression changed from pissed off to relieved. “I’m sorry I thought you guys are bad guys, my name is Eric Blair.” It looks like we just filled this man with hope, not just back home at Solaris our new home the people back home seem to like us because we saved them, and this man seems so lonely being all alone here in this forsaken place that, the dark consumed, and I hope there are people roaming around this country.
He laughed out a little, we were quite calm from his mood and he seems alright, while we’re held up here in this old building that Eric preserved for so long except that front door that Cliff kicked, but luckily Roxy fixed it with her magic, good thing he doesn’t noticed it, but he is interesting, after we talked and settled our differences, we rested up again we’re supposed to go but we were cut off by that sandstorm, then Cliff asked “How long will it last?” Eric was busy fixing something grunting, panting, he stood up and looked through the crack of the window and scoffed “Hmm, I would say probably a day or two.” Cliff just stood there watching through the crack.
While he’s looking through the barred up window crack and Roxy is just reading One of Eric’s books and I saw that he shook his head in disbelief it seems he’s kind of selfish but I don’t want to bring up his attitude in front of her so I just let that go, she looks interested what she was reading the book I looked at the title of the book it seems like a Fiction book “Heroes of greatness.” It reminded me about something but I’m not quite sure what it is but she likes fiction books.
Then I started walking around and just exploring around then I went to another room that was opened and switched on the lights because the room was extremely dark, damn the light switch is not working, I guess he must have a lampshade, well it turns out he has then I switched it on to my investigation, I looked around then I saw pictures of Eric and it looks like his family it’s old but still in frame and everything here it seems this is his that’s why he kept it so clean for so long, then I realized that…
“You’re supposed not to be here, Atomic Blaze.” As soon as I heard him walking into the room my thoughts were interrupted, then turned my back to see it was Eric, leaning on the door frame with his sunglasses on while his arms are crossed together, he started walking towards me, “Listen, sorry for calling you Bucket Head and Aiming the gun at you I was just protecting myself.” I put my hand on his shoulder and then let go and told him “It’s Okay Eric I understand and sorry I just saw this door opened.” Then he glanced at the pictures and pointed. “That’s my family, and this was a long time ago, this place was our home and I couldn’t just let it go.”
I guess he wouldn’t let go of the past, and I felt sorry for him being all alone here, “So where is your family Eric?” He looked at me with a smirk and he frowned to sadness, “Well I meant to say this place was not our real home I meant we took this place and made it our home secured it and shit like that”. He dodged my question but I can tell something happened but I don’t want to guess I want to hear it from him, “When everything went to shit, everything here was hell at first, then years later everything seems to calm down we were desperate for food and we scavenge and luckily we found this place and made it our home.”
Intriguing story from Eric but it seems like a mix up, but why does he seem so calm about being alone here and not worried he’ll go crazy. He dragged me out of the room with him and switched off the lights and locked the room “You stay out of that room, Atomic blaze Okay!” He raised his voice at me and I just stood there.
He's still not afraid of my appearance and my friends as well, but his look I can tell he was upset. He marched all upset downstairs but I digress, I put my hands on my pockets for a few seconds and walked downstairs.
As I walked downstairs the two are just minding their business and Cliff was just laying down in the couch and Roxy was still reading that book then I saw Eric drinking whiskey and Offered Roxy and she took it and Cliff just said no to Eric it seems he wasn’t interested in drinking but Roxy she was, I don’t mind that.
Then Eric took a sip. I noticed his hand was shaking, then I approached him “Are you okay Eric? He took a sip like two times then he responded “Yeah I’m alright.” It was a lie I can tell. He didn't want to talk about it so I left him, then he grabbed my Arm and told me “I need something from you for a moment.” I was confused by what he said. Then he took another sip of whiskey then he pointed to one of the tables with chairs, across the other room to his right we walked in the room and sat down.
“Okay, Here it is, that room is private, you understand, and I forgot to lock that room and I had to drag you out of that room because…”. He couldn’t finish his sentence, started to cry while he was covering his face and took off his sunglasses.
“Eric, hey what’s going on?” I tried to comfort him.
“I’m sorry Honey, I couldn’t save you.” I stood up and walked over to his side. I tap him on the shoulder.
“Adam, I couldn’t get there in time.” he started saying his name.
I had no choice but to try my best to comfort him, and I felt so down hearing him go through this, he’s still grieving, “I need you to avenge my family Blaze, can you do that for me I know we just met and I have nothing but pain, can you do it?” I let go of him gently, I sat down, he took another sip drowning his sorrows. I had to watch him, while I was thinking about his request “I need to know what happened to your family, Eric and I’ll do my best to avenge them.”
He gave a slight smile at me and nodded and then leaned back on the chair and he sighed to prepare his story to tell, “They were tortured, and they left them there, my wife she was naked found in so ditch, with lots of wounds on her body lots of marks, symbols of some kind…” he is trying his best to stay strong then I said “Be strong Eric.” He continued “Then my son Adam was ripped into pieces, what on earth would do something like that, it was so cold and disturbing.”
When he told me that I would guess it was those Dead guardians, that Roxy told me about. “Then what happened next Eric?’ he looked at me with a serious look and took another sip of whiskey I looked at the bottle and him drinking I remembered drinking long time ago with such a pain I had to go through IT but I digress, he explained to me more “It was horrible what I had witness, it was awful and those symbols on her body they ju curved on to.” He couldn’t finish his sentence so I just sat there listening and waiting for his response.
There are more threats out there and this one seems to fascinate me more, these signs? I should ask Phoenix about it, “So tell me Eric about these symbols? What are they, you’re saying it’s done by a cult?” He nodded while frowning , a Cult! The fuck is going on, first monsters now some Cult, great! things are just getting worse, ”Did you see this cult wandering around or something?” he took another sip, trying to go through it I just sat there waiting for his response,
He sighed, “They were in cloaks obviously, black with disgusting, evil grin and their eyes were jet black, skin was pale but with light blue skin… I think, but other things they carry a carved dagger with them I remembered… I would assume they carry that all the time.” His descriptions of these so-called cults gave me a general idea if we ever encounter them, but now I get the picture, “Oh and they have a leader too, he’s a bit taller than them he was… I think six foot nine? If I’m right and I”. I put my hand up and told Eric to stop.
“That’s enough Eric.” I stood up and walked to him and put my hand on his shoulder, “I’ll do my best to avenge your family, I know it must be hard for you.” he was quiet and he stopped drinking “And you shouldn’t be here all alone, we have people back home and food you’ll be comfortable believe me Eric.” He looked at me, “The choice is yours Eric.” His look says it all, it’s either he stays here grieving or dying all alone? I walked back to see my friends and I noticed the sandstorm had stopped.
I woke Cliff up and Roxy fell asleep with the book on her hand, and pointed at the window, and gathered their things, and I turned my back to look at Eric, he gave a slight smile and he walked to me and tapped me on the back and then he said “Okay I’ve decided your offer Blaze.” the two gazed at me and Eric, “I’m going with you.” I felt some relief and I nodded at him and his decision.
“That’s great Eric, but we can’t bring you with us now Roxy here she can provide protection for you.” She looked at me and smiled at Eric, and then “Well, I can provide you with a protection spell no one can hear you or see you”.
“Right I see.” Eric Rub his beard.
“I’m going to check if the area is clear.” Cliff gathered his things and Roxy’s as well and opened the door.
“Here is your book, Eric.” she said, handing him his book.
“No keep it, it’s yours now” he gave her that book, she was so interested in.
“We’ll be back Eric Okay, I promise you my friend you just have to be quiet and keep an eye on your surroundings, she’ll take care of it.” he nodded and we shook hands, Cliff was guarding the front door Roxy was outside with Cliff keeping an eye out. We said our goodbyes and I promise him I’ll be back “Also Eric, Be ready once we come back here understand.” he tapped me on the arm and smiled under that sunglasses of his, he may look old I would say around his forties, but there are things to be discussed once I come back here.
He closed the door on us, then Roxy did her magic, recited her protection spell, as we looked at her, I was still amazed by her work of art in my opinion, we ventured our way to the main objective, after that hellish sandstorm for hours, after we left the city we are now down to our path to find this Obelisk that Phoenix told me about, this new area is just filled destruction but dried not a single safe place can be found not a single person in Ascaria, but I would guess there are safe places out there on the wilderness or just away from the cities who knows what?
As we kept on venturing in Ascaria we stopped on the side of the road and we dropped our stuff on the ground, the the two stretched their bodies from all this exhaustment of walking for hours “It appears, that we are somewhat close to the target” the two looked at me with a tired look but Cliff I can tell he’s not looking good.
“How close are we Blaze?” Cliff asked, I looked at the map and the map well to my realization we are still far and it’s almost sundown anyway, “we are about ten miles to our target.” I noticed Cliff looked really exhausted as I turned they both looked tired.
“We need to find a place where we can hold up, I’m not going to sleep in the forest.” I sighed to his idea, which he’s right. I didn’t protest the idea, we were just at Eric’s place and It was nice to see another person from another country.
Hope there are more out there, as we kept on walking forward to find some place to seek refuge, the sun is almost down, and we don’t have that much time, and finally we found a house that’s barred up and covered in green and doesn’t seem damaged and we ran towards it and went inside without thinking if there were anyone here, as the two rested after a while I kept watch, I just looked at the skies admiring it and thinking of everything that just happened two days ago and here I’am just the three of us, I turned to my right to see the two sleeping together covering each other. I find these two interesting in my opinion.
Then my thoughts were interrupted by something on the distance I’m not sure what it was but it got my attention, fuck! Should I go towards it or stick with these two, having concern I turned to see this thing what I’m seeing in front of me, it got brighter and brighter the light kept on illuminating, like… it’s telling me to go towards it.
Suddenly I’m in a trance state, so I looked around. Where are they? I felt distraught in this place where the fuck Am’I? No sounds, nothing, just an empty space of absence, no colours as well just completely dull, suddenly I heard something whispering around me. I turned around, it's like they are toying with me. Then a door appeared in front me, as I was about to walk towards something stopped behind me as I was about to go it it grabbed my right arm I quickly turned a woman in white rubes head down looking at my arm and saying something, mumbling her words, I quite can’t understand what she’s saying I tired to let go but her grip was tight and I felt the pressure on my as, she squeeze it tight, I feel pain the more I moved then she crushed it I was in pain I threw A punch and she disappeared in my sight I was scared, frightened by it, my only goal was to go towards the door I ran to it and I opened it.
To my surprise she was there standing and her face was just completely blackened, nothing, “I’ll see you soon.” She spoke, then blasting me with this light. It was bright, then I woke up panicking, two were concerned about what happened to me they jumped to my reaction, “What happened?” I asked “You were out cold, Blaze.” Roxy said, “As soon as you dropped we were woken up by the sound and saw you completely out.” I looked around, it’s daytime and looked back at Cliff and Roxy, “We have to go guys, time is running out” the two packed up and I followed the two. I felt fear from what I just witnessed. I looked at my right arm and it was fine, but I don’t have time to explain to them maybe once we go back.
We went on our way to the Obelisk I can see it half way there, the two were ahead of me I can tell they are talking about me which kind of bothered me a bit but I didn’t mind it, I had to focus on the real situation, I put the idea behind first, as we approached it just a few meters away from it I looked at the place this there are buildings here but now it’s in ruins completely and now on the middle its the second Obelisk glowing this looked different it looked lighter and dried, but around this place it felt wrong.
“Alright, we’re here, this is it, all we have to do is destroy it and we’ll go home as…” I was interrupted by a screech in the distance we ran for cover it sounded like they are running fast in four, Oh no, that’s not what I think it is, I stood up a bit, fuck me, it’s those things Roxy told me about damn it I don’t think she’ll be up for this I looked around to look for Roxy and I can see her she looked scared, and I saw Cliff on the other side trying to hide from it and it almost got him so I did something bold.
I inserted the dosage on the back of neck and called to the creatures there were five of them and I felt rage inside me, I ran towards them and dodged their claws and sliced one and I called out to Cliff and ran out to fight and face his fears we both ran and start cutting and slicing them blood poured out from one of the beast and one of them tackled me it’s mouth are horrifying to see and lots of teeth, and the saliva pouring, dripping onto my face, the beast exploded on me I’m covered in filth I looked to my surprise It’s Roxy who saved me I yelled to Cliff “Watch out!” He dodged and Roxy ran to it and pulled her dagger and stabbed it with anger and hate and Cliff killed the last one.
They are lying around on the ground dead in pieces Roxy kept on stabbing it, and Cliff ran towards her, hugging her to calm down, while the dosage is still kicking in I heard there was more coming from one direction, Fuck! We are going to be outnumbered. The two stood next to me ready to fight these Dead guardians, their voices grew louder as they got closer, we kept our bearings and ready to attack. One jumped to me. I cut off the head and the other was killed by Roxy’s wand and Cliff kept moving non stop. Then I yelled “WE HAVE TO PUSH FORWARD TO THE OBELISK!” The two nodded at me and continue to fight and three were in front of me and I let out a heatblast killing them no time must move forward, we kept on moving and things are going great to my plans, and there were only a few left Roxy used her magic setting one of fire and Cliff killed the burning one.
And the rest are destroyed. This must be the craziest thing I’ve ever done in my life. the ground covered in blood and guts, pieces everywhere the two sat down on a rock resting, I walked forward. To see this Obelisk up close looks like Phoenix won’t show up today, so it’s up to us to destroy this, then suddenly I felt A hand tapped me on the shoulder I turned it’s Roxy she looked at me with this overcoming look, suddenly I pushed Roxy out of the way, I was pounced by the beast it over took on the ground I was away from the Obelisk by few meters, I punched the creature in the face and the beast stumped my arm I yelled in pain and again, I punched it twice and the beast let go of me, Cliff jumped in the cut the foul creature’s arm with all this rage building inside me I grabbed it by one hand and place my foot on the head and tearing its mouth open and let out a heatblast.
The beast is slayed, I turned my back to check if Roxy’s okay. I walked fast to her “Oh god, are you okay?” she nodded and let out a little pain, Cliff got her “Whatever you’re going to say Blaze it’s not your fault, you did the right thing.”
The two looked at my left arm and it was badly damaged. I ignored it, I shook my head in disbelief that this happened to me, I felt a little pain on my arm, then I focused on the two,and I extended my hand to Roxy and she grabbed my hand, and we proceed to end it, then Cliff was behind us keeping watch, I noticed Roxy’s look, she observed this Obelisk “It looks dried.” From what I can see it does, maybe that’s why there are no sacrifices made here.
“I guess the reason why it’s dried, it feeds off human remains and. That’s why back at Solaris it was beating filled with souls and what not.” It made sense to us “So in short?” Cliff said, “Well, it’s completely weak, this structure has a bit of power and why place it here?” she let out a laugh and shook her head in disbelief, “Anyway, let’s do this” then Roxy looked at Cliff and she held his hand and nodded to him, he ran far away from the Obelisk to seek cover.
We prepared ourselves Roxy explained to me to combine our abilities in order to destroy this structure, she recited her spell, bright lights appeared in the wand of hers with jolt of electricity shot out from it, her hair were beginning to wave from a strong wind generating more power she spoke louder and she looked at me with her bright purple eyes “NOW!” I followed her order, I released the heatblast combined with hers creating this lucid sight with different colours, I can see the structure cracking pieces falling down black liquid pouring out, I can hear something deep growl around us, while we were doing that, something is not right the ground started shaking, cracks filled in.
I yelled out to Roxy and she Ignored me at first but she noticed it, “Keep going, Blaze!” Finally Obelisk, fell apart black liquid poured out with glowing lights coming out from it, we kept trying, then A shot of strong blow sent us back I grabbed Roxy quickly then I hit the wall hard, debris fell on top of me while I protected Roxy, she held tight on to me, then It stopped she looked at me terrified her eyes are still in those colours then it fade away, “You Okay Roxy?” while she was scanning me with her eyes, I let her go gently. I heard running footsteps. It was Cliff, “Oh shit, you guys are alright, Roxy.” He went towards her hugging and scared but I can see she is trying to recover from what Just happened.
I stood up walking, leaning on the wall, I looked back at Roxy and Cliff, thinking of what just happened with her, her powers were something I did not Expect, I know she can do magic, but this was too much and yet, she did it with me stopping it, she looked shocked, therefore she came back, back to her senses.
“Cliff?” she looked at him with a distressed look.
“Blaze?” Then she set her eyes to me.
The two walked to me and Roxy grabbed my damaged arm, she looked at it and asked me “Does it hurt Blaze?” I shrugged and nodded my head, “A little,” Cliff let out a little laugh and Roxy turned her back and placed her eyes on Cliff “Let hope she won’t get mad at you Blaze.” I let a chuckle to what he said a little good moment for this situation, it got windy here all of sudden, the three of us walked of the rubble, to our curiosity we walked up the, what was once the Obelisk, we successfully destroyed “Hey Blaze, Thank you for saving me” she said next to me and Cliff glance at me when she said that, then he nodded to what she said,
As we were staring at the Obelisk a hole emerged, then Cliff said “Is it over? We glanced at each other to his question, I’m not sure how to answer his question, we didn’t answer so instead we kept quiet, and just stared at the hole and the broken pieces of the Obelisk.
The hole we stared at, gave me some uncomfortable feeling that it’s not over, is it really over? Are we done here? Those questions in my head are roaming around, but this left me a weird feeling that something might come out of the hole and attack us. Cliff tapped me on the back, a sign to go home however we felt something.
The ground started shaking a deep growl combined with a screech coming from behind us.
We ran forward, away from the hole it sank and blasted onto the sky, a horrible scream filled with madness and we seek cover again, a voice that’s so dreadful.
Then It Spoke in an ancient language, it scared Roxy. I can see it on her face, she covered her ears and Cliff tried to calm her down, and pulled out my dose ready to insert it on the back of my neck.
I heard some disgusting sounds from whatever it is doing, I gave a quick look, I sank like a brick on what I’m seeing, “The fuck” then I looked away, then Cliff gaze at me “What? What is it” he said, the fear building up inside me and I noticed Roxy’s reaction was very strange. No time to think, so I took her hand and we ran for another cover.
While hiding from whatever that is, I finally told Cliff “It’s horrible, I’ve never seen anything like that it’s hard to describe man” his face was filled with concern then he shaked me “Hey, tell me what was it?” I got my senses back to reality, I turned back to see It again, the other one dematerialized, the whole environment around us, changed it and became a living nightmare. It looks like the place just got altered.
The three of us prepared for a fight, I looked at my damaged arm, there is no way out of this, I must face whatever this is, Roxy moved to us, then Cliff put his hand on her shoulder then she looked at him with a terrified look, she was shaking, but then she stopped “I’m okay now.” her senses are back I guess. All these thoughts in my head I don’t want to run. I have to face my fears, the dosage appeared in my hand as I looked at it, having the most difficult choice that I’ll ever make. “We have to finish this, if we don’t Our home and this will be consumed by darkness.” Cliff and Roxy looked at me trying to think and they nodded at me.
While everything around us is happening this is a nightmare I have to do this, so I did, the two ready up and Roxy looking more serious, I’ll be operating with one hand now as soon as I inserted my dosage into my neck the pain is gone “We must face this thing.” Then it stopped and went completely silent for a moment, all of a sudden a really bright Red light appeared in our surroundings. It started making some gurgling sound and let out a scream, we ran out of cover.
As soon we left our cover to our Horror the horrible appearance filled with slime, teeth, and no shape just a thing, covered in black like smoke coming out from the body, the beast is on a frenzy state, smashing the ground in pure anger, “We have to kill this creature, before it gets out of hand.” As we ran the beast turned in our direction and ran forward to us and we dodged it, “What is that thing?” we dodged another incoming blow of debris coming in our sight, “Tolkar!” Roxy said. I remembered that name. It’s the one those dark entities Phoenix mentioned when I first met everyone. “How do we kill it?” said Cliff “With everything we got!” As we were about to rush at it all of the sudden we were interrupted by an explosion hurting the beast.
“What the hell was that?” I don’t know But this is our chance, we ran and started attacking it from all sides the beast started swinging its arms trying to hit us I used my ability to hurt it and it did, I cut the arm with all my strength, Roxy used her magic and cut through beast’s tentacles filled with sharp spikes, the creature let out a scream and screech,
As we were fighting the tentacle almost hit Cliff and he dodged the incoming attack, Roxy dodging and cutting the incoming attacks, as I was about to surprise it with my heatblast the beast hit me hard, the two yelled out fighting it with everything they have, I got up I’m badly damaged but I’ll be able to go through it, I was on the floor seeing my friends fight it, I extend my hand. But I must finish this.
A loud gunshot was heard while conflict was happening I cannot locate it’s source all of a sudden another bang and explosion happened wounding the beast, out of nowhere a figure appeared slim, covered in dark garment I can’t really see anything then a female voice in the smog said to me “Get up, you’re not dead yet.”
This mysterious figure in the smog, a hand appeared in the smoke I grabbed her hand then she disappeared I can only hear gunshots and the voices of my friends and the figure warning them to watch out, I quickly recovered and got my bearings and went forwards and see what is happening I sliced the tentacle, and dodged multiple attacks and sliced again, then the figure fired more shots at it,with two revolver hurting, incoming tentacles and sharp like arachnid claw was closing on her and then she dodged them and fired more shots at it, then she set it back in the holsters and pulled out the dagger cutting through the beast’s chest. “NOW!” I finally killed it, now the creature has been slayed, it’s on the ground.
I walked towards it to see what It looked like up close, then it spoked “You… are… doomed…” it let out a sinister laugh and gasped, “We are one entity, you can’t stop us” I crouched down “Why?” I felt scared looking at this thing and with anger, “Soon… they… will… come… to… take… everything… you love…” It gave me an uneasy feeling. I stood up, while looking at it, “The dark entities will take over, you’re dealing with a double, soon we’ll meet again.” It lets out an evil laugh, the words coming out of this creature it’s a warning telling us the coming of evil. I looked at my friends and they nodded at me. I let out my remaining heatblast burning this Doppelgänger.
Our surroundings went back to reality, but everything here is still in ruins. I looked at this woman standing next to the two as I stared at the new guest of the party, well that’s how I’ll put it I walked away from the creature, while staring at her, her finger is ready to pull out her gun, I glanced at her finger “Whoa, take it easy” then she stop midway out of the holster.
While having a standoff staring, the two backed off, I can see something in her eyes.
Her Eyes have this beauty and hope in them, from what I see her fighting style to me is something that she can be useful, although it’s not just hope in her eyes, I can tell she had been through alot as well.
Then she she began to slant over to the side of a rock beside her, she rested I ran towards her, to check her what’s going on with her I looked down she was injured, I put pressure on it, then she gasped in pain, “It’s going to be okay” while putting pressure I slowly untuck her shirt to check her wound.
“Roxy, I need your help!” She appeared next to me then looked at me.
“Oh shit, that’s not good”. Pulls out a piece of cloth from her bag, and ripped it to make a makeshift bandage.
“Hold on,” said Roxy. I extended my hand to her so she could hold it tight, her wound got worse. The black veins are slowly spreading around her stomach while a piece of thorn a size of finger, colour black stabbed her side.
Roxy called Cliff to assists her, then she performed her magic trick, while she was doing it, her hand is gripped tightly and she is resisting the pain being tough, she let out a scream I can tell from her face she is sweating, I looked back at the wound the thorn is being pulled out slowly.
“Hang in there, stay strong.” While Roxy is removing it.
“Hmm… Fuck! It hurts, finish it.” I can see it from her eyes that she was tearing up from the pain. She passed out from her wound.
The piece of thorn was extracted from her, then she passed out. The blood is pouring out from the wound, her blood is not normal, it was dark rather than normal blood, it seems it’s infected. “We need to do something about this.” looking at the wound it’s getting worst, fuck this is not good,
“Guys! We have to bring her back with us!” The two looked at me. With a look that they don’t seem to agree with me.
“We don’t know who she is, maybe she is an Enemy?” that hadn't occurred to me but I have no choice. “I don’t want her to die, and she helped us right on the spot.”
Cliff ran his hair and nodded “Alright what are we going to do?” I instructed the two Carry her back home but I hope Phoenix will appear, I hope he will. “I’ll go get Eric, back in the city.” Roxy’s eyes made me nervous when I said that.
“Alone?” She stood up with the woman.
“Yes.” I promised Eric I’ll get him.
“I have no choice guys, I promised him and Don’t worry about me I’ll catch up.” The two lifted her unconscious body, “Is still breathing?” Cliff checked, then he nodded at me “And Tell Phoenix that Blaze is still Astoria, looking for a friend,okay.” I told them to get her safe, as we were about to leave I turned back at the hole and the Obelisk that was once there the whole environment was back to normal, but the remains of the Obelisk are on the ground and the corpses of the Dead guardians are everywhere A thought came to mind “Hey Roxy, can you burn the bodies first before we go.” she rolled her eyes and she looked annoyed then she burned the bodies all of them caught on fire in an instance.
We had no time to stick around, we arrived halfway to the city, then I heard her grunt in pain, all of a sudden I heard an incoming footsteps behind us, and the two turned back to me “Go! I’ll take care of this.” it sounded very fast and aggressive, I prepared my sword and inserted my dosage, Holy shit! There are so many of them, I ran forward letting them get the attention towards me, then I killed a few right in front of me, with my heatblast.
And slicing more of them, killing them instantly using everything I got, with one hand and cutting through them like nothing, the hot rays burning the creatures to death, then I inserted another on my neck. Killing a dozen then I had enough of the sword and I used my fist punched a few and tearing, them with one hand in pure anger. And Killed the last one, I left a hot trail of blood and guts on the road. I looked at my hands covered in filth, It's a mixture of rage and enjoyment.
Then my senses came back Fuck me! This is insane, everything here is dead, then I ran forward to get Eric. I finally saw the small building, I yelled out his name, to my surprise it still looked fine. the building I knocked at the door and shouted his name.
No time to think and just said Screw this! I kicked the door down, still in good shape. I shouted again and looked around, Now I’m starting to worry, where is he? I went Upstairs to check one of the rooms, he wasn’t there, then an Idea came to mind. I ran to the room I wasn’t allowed to, I checked that room.
It was open to my surprise he’s okay “Eric?” He looked at me with a slight smile and was shocked. His reaction was expected to me “What the hell happened to you?” I stood there looking at him. I don’t know if I want to explain the whole thing “Don’t worry about it Eric, we have to go.” I should try to calm down and the best thing is that he’s safe.
I helped him with his gear, I led the way to our safety and all of a sudden Phoenix Appeared a few meters from me and Eric, to his surprise it just happened like that.
Phoenix looked at me with a distressed look then he ran up to me “Blaze? What the hell man, you’re like shit.” I didn’t say anything, he looked at me with concern, and Eric was beside me, Phoenix, just nodded at me and made a rift and we walked forward. But he stopped us for a second.
“Before we go, Cliff and Roxy are back at Solaris with the girl who helped you guys, the Obelisk, and that Creature you fought.” They told him about it. “Blaze the girl she is safe and being taken care of.” Oh thank god, Roxy and Cliff for getting her to safety.
“Let’s go home shall we Blaze with our new friend.” then he scanned me “I have to repair your arm and fix you up, what do you say?” I nodded to him and walked in with him.
We are at the front of the gate of Solaris and the guard’s faces were speechless when they saw me and yelled to open the gates, as soon the gates opened as we were about to step in the whole place changed the place, looked more normal life is back in order Solaris is bigger and now filled with hope, I looked at Phoenix he smiled at me then he said “Yeah, I know.” This is what I wanted. we walked in it felt strange and different but I couldn’t blame him so he Helped around everyone and was happy seeing Phoenix and he did the biggest favor for everyone.
I laughed looking around. It's just pure peace and it seems magical around here. I hope the guys are okay but I need to find Vicky, “Phoenix this is Eric Blair.” he Looked at Phoenix scanning him How clean he looks and sharp as well, and he smirked and shook hands. “Um, Eric, why not make yourself feel comfortable around here.” I nodded at him “Well I have to go.”
He grabbed my arm, then I turned my back to him and he said “Thank you.” He smiled and Letting go of my arm, so I proceed to walk with Phoenix, “He seems like a good lad.” I looked at Phoenix and I chuckled a little “Yeah he is, he is interesting but there is more to him I might know and he went through a lot in Ascaria.” He folded his arms then looked at me with curiosity.
“His family were murdered by something of the dark, followers, a cult he said.” he scoffed and he shakes his head in disbelief “Why do you know what he’s talking about Phoenix?” he looked at me “Yeah, they are the worst, just pure cruelty with those people.” He put his hand on my shoulder, “Blaze, you did the hardest task in your life and yet you came back, differently covered in filth but you made it with your friends.” he smiled at me, We walked together further down the street and we stood at this new building that I’ve never seen before.
He expanded his hand, pointing at the building “Well, Blaze this is your new home, also everyone is inside.” I was about to ask him about the girl then he cut me off “Don’t worry she is inside, resting and recovering from her wound.” I felt relief from his news.
The building to me was interesting to me, the architecture was bizarre but fascinating to me so we walked in. I see Dave and the rest in the living room just chatting by the fireplace, Except Vicky I was wondering where is she? But I’ll look for her later. They were happy to see me and Dave looked at me with wonder of what happened to me but his response was short “You looked like shit Blaze.” To my surprise he looks good with a whole new set of clothes looking more different but I like it.
“And you look great man, yeah it was fun covered in shit after killing a dozen monsters and losing an arm.” I let out laugh it sounded rude and sarcastic, but we shook hands he want to hug me but he was tempted not to, I’m happy seeing him again and the two stared at me but Roxy still in that make up of hers, she smiled but she walked forward to me but she was tempted not to come closer to me and she did the same thing as Dave did, then Cliff Shaked my hand. “We’ll talk later guys, it’s great seeing you.” I followed Phoenix to his study room filled with artifacts of the dark and knowledge. This whole place is different from the Sanitarium we were in.
But this place is interesting to me. they are kept in a safe display, it’s very gnarly. Then we sat down and he took off his coat and pulled up his sleeves. I looked at his arms. He has these tattoos that are very intriguing to look at. “These are the collections from our previous battles that were worth keeping as a reminder.”
He pulled a chair and sat me down. Then he worked on my damaged arm fully restoring it with his powers, I feel better all the pain is going away with his powers rebuilding my arm.
I felt some stinging feeling but after a while, My arm was back to normal and fully functional. Then he fixed me. My entire body felt great, it was a fresh feeling.
“There you go Blaze, all fixed up.” he’s whipping his hands. While smiling. Then he looked at his arms he knows I looked at his arms
“These are from the light they grant me this piece of art. Onto my arms, they gave me this as a reward.” There are more of them?
“There are more of you?” He nodded.
“Of course, my boy.” he crossed his arms.
“How?” I asked.
“There are things you don’t know yet.” Cleaning up his table filled with books and papers.
He was very Cryptic with his words but it makes sense to me maybe it's the bad timing or something, “Well right now it’s different, I tell you Blaze” he frowned at his words, and then he shrugged it off. “Anyway Blaze we’ll talk about this in another time, I think you should pay a visit to our guest. She is in the last room down the hall. The door is slightly open, you won’t be able to miss it, okay.”
I nodded to him and and I stopped then I looked at exchanging our compliment of thankfulness to each other then after that I left the study room I walked straight down the hall looking at this door, made me nervous because she might be an enemy but to me I don’t see her in that way, but who knows I just met her in Ascaria, I slightly opened the door, seeing her laying down resting well she is still breathing, her gear is on the table away from her all those medical machine hooked into her arm with magic around her and the view outside is very nice from what I see, I walked in to see her face.
As I walked in I saw her face, her Eyes closed, sleeping. I couldn’t stop looking at her, she has a scar on her right eye. Good thing she is here and resting well, under our care. I looked at her weapons on the table and to my amazement her armoury was fascinating to me. I held her guns, and her revolver, it attracted me looking at it. All of her guns have a design, giving it more personality I would say.
All of sudden “What are you doing in my room?” in a low voice, That caught me off guard when her voice startled me. I quickly turned around, staring at her then she spoke again “I said what are you doing here?” I quickly put down her weapons on the table, then I answered her “Phoenix told me to check up on you.”
While her eyes still closed. “How are you feeling?” I asked.
“I’m still feeling the pain, but it’s slowly going away.” she said. In a low voice trying to resist the pain.
“Well I’m gonna get going now” As I was about to leave, she stopped me.
“Hey I didn’t say thank you.” I quickly turned around to see again, her eyes still closed.
“Well, I don’t want anyone dying around me and I want to save someone and I don’t want you to die in our hands. No response from her. And again I was about to leave.
“Wait, What is your name? By the way.” I stopped for a sec then I turned to see her, she asked in a low voice. Her eyes opened and sat up from the bed, she grunted but she managed it herself and pulled her hair back while her hand was pressing the wound wrapped in bandages.
“My name is Atomic Blaze, what’s yours?” While standing here looking at her.
“Nyla, Nyla Raven, nice talking to you Blaze.” I felt solace from her. She smiled. “And if there is anything you need you let me know.” I left the room leaving the door slightly open.
I continued to walk down the hall. To look for Vicky then I asked Dave, “She is in the garden sitting down admiring the garden that Phoenix made for this place.” He gave a smile to me and I figured where to go then I saw the garden that Dave told me about.
There she was sitting admiring the Flowers and leaves, the red ones reminded of her eyes the beauty of the colours in her pupils and the green leaves surrounding the garden just gave an idea of things are coming back to normal but there are more threats out there that has to be settled, from where I Am walking behind her, then I stopped behind her.
Then she stood up, turning around to her surprise. Her expression made my day better, she smiled and tears ran down her face and she began to run towards me, landing me on the garden grounds she began to laugh “Oh I’ve missed you so much Blaze.” She stood up all happy, then she helped me up on the ground. I hugged her gently and tightly.
“I hope you’re not angry at me Victoria?” Then she smirked in a cute way towards me and burst out laughing. “No, I’m not mad at you Red, at least you’re safe and our friends as well you saved them and the person as well.” I really missed her. “And I’m sorry for not letting you come Along Vicky.” She gently caresses her hand on my cheek. “It’s okay Red, the people liked having me around and do you like my outfit?” She let go of me and she spun around showing off her outfit to me. It really looks nice on her. It's new and way better. It's like a uniform that is a bit bright.
“And you look worse, Red, we should get rid of those clothes.” New clothes would be nice. My clothes are covered in filth. But I really looked like crap I guess, I’ll change my clothes, also I really love seeing her again. She is something when I first saw her.
And we went back inside, and I saw our friends just having a good time talking and laughing, as we were walking upstairs to the room, it turns out it’s hers. It’s very stylish, dark colours and red and there is a huge window overlooking the street. “This is our bedroom Red. I told Phoenix about me and you. He liked the idea.” She did this for me and her, it's interesting but I can’t say anything about this.
I was amazed about this, we have a new home just for us and thanks to Phoenix, “Was it Phoenix who Improved this place while we’re gone Victoria?” Then she pulled out the set of new clothes for me, while smiling I took it and sat it down on the sofa, then I sat down beside the Clothes. “Yes Red, It was him and we helped him too, and it was nice having him around and the people were truly in awe when we helped them.” I nodded.
Then she quickly frowned looking at me, examining me with those red eyes of hers, “Is there something wrong Red?” I leaned forward and put my hand on my forehead covering my eyes filled with nervousness, then I felt her hands wrapped around me on my right side, “We can talk about it, if you want?”
“Something In Ascaria happened.” She let out a dried Hmm, to my response but I wasn’t in a mood to answer her questions but I have to, and I put my right arm to her side, comforting each other.
“I happened to experience something odd, I was in a trance, like in another plain or like a dream state.” Then she raised her eyebrow and, looking at me with interest, then I looked back at her “A dreamstate?” She said then I nodded. “It was odd, then this figure in that place grabbed my arm in full white mumbled something.” Her look I’ll never forget, she was worried about me then she closed her eyes for a brief second then opened them, “Then what happened after that?” she asked. “I went to this door, opened it, then the figure said, I’ll see you soon. That’s when I woke up from the ground, then the two were on top of me staring at me, but I didn’t tell them about it because we didn’t have time to chat about it.”
She stood up from the sofa getting something to drink to calm her down. It looked like dark red liquid in a glass she had in her hand, then she consumed the liquid. “And then the rest was history at the end, this Entity warned us.” while staring at the window, she froze for a second then turned around to look at me with her eyes wide, she walked towards me “Oh shit!” she said
“What did it say?” she asked. “That we’ll take everything you love.” A warning I remembered.
“That fucking laugh it let out, freaked me out.” I felt fear inside me when I witnessed that.
“Take it easy Red, you’re back and safe, and we can deal with this together.” her words tried to comfort me.
“And That girl, Nyla, helped us out of nowhere.” I chuckled softly. I don’t want to talk about it too much, I just like to be with her for the whole day, then she finishes her drink.
I changed my clothes. And lay down with her, There are so many things that, the feeling of the dark growing stronger. And that dreamscape I just experienced, I must know, maybe Phoenix knows about it. I must try to talk to Phoenix about this.
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